Читать книгу Theopolda's Quest - Linda Wisely - Страница 8

As they followed Brother Justus through the streets of Palermo toward the monastery, Theo noticed that she saw no families with children.

"Why are most of these people either our age or old people?" she asked.

"The Black Plaque wiped out most people of parenting age and small children, leaving only

teenagers and their grandparents. You will see more of this age discrepancy when we reach the mainland of Italy. As those of working age died, it became impossible for the ones who survived the plague to stay in the villages. Whole villages were left vacant when they had no one to run the mills to grind flour," Sagan volunteered.

"How do you know this?" Theo asked him.

"I did some reading about the Black Plague and its effects, when I learned that we would be traveling in Italy."

"How terrible! I'm so glad we were protected at home on our little island. Do you think we could still be at risk of contracting the Plague?" Theo looked at Brother Jusus anxiously.

"No, I don't believe there is any danger now. It has been almost five years since the last resurgence of the Plague. I wouldn't have allowed you to come if I felt that you would be in any danger," Brother Justus reassured her.

"It is believed that the Plague was caused by rats, so I would suggest that if you see one, you give it a wide berth," Will told her in his matter-of-fact tone.

A shiver ran up Theo's spine. "Oh, just the thought of rats crawling near me is horrifying!"

"Rats are almost blind, so they're not going to jump on you deliberately," Will said patiently, as they made their way through the crowd.

As the monastery came into view, Theo let out a low cry of admiration. "What a beautiful building."

"Wait until you see the fine frescoes on the ceiling of the chapel," Brother Justus told them. "There are scenes of Christ's life while here on earth, a Madonna and child, and one of Christ with the apostles."

When they reached the monastery, Brother Justus knocked on the small door beside the main entrance. A young nun answered.

"I am Friar Justus Pellini from the Monastery of Literary Wisdom. I believe Abbot Pietro is expecting us."

"Yes, Brother Justus, the Abbot has been waiting supper until you arrived. Please follow me." As she turned toward the hall, a bald monk shorter than Brother Justus appeared. He was dressed in the same Franciscan brown robes and brown zucchetto (skullcap) that Brother Justus wore. He smiled a greeting.

"Brother Justus, I have been greatly looking forward to your visit." Abbot Pietro gave Brother Justus a welcoming kiss on each cheek.

"I'm very glad to have this opportunity, Father Abbot," Brother Justus returned the greeting, then drew Theo forward. "This is my young charge, Theopolda, that I have written you about."

Theo bowed low. "So pleased to meet you, Father Abbot Pietro. Thank you so much for your hospitality."

"And these two are our honorable swordsmen, Will Crispo and Sagan Hapsburg," Brother Justus continued the introductions.

"Pleased to meet you, Father Abbot Pietro," Will and Sagan said simultaneously. The Abbot smiled in acknowledgement.

"If you will follow me, I will show you to your quarters so that you can wash before supper. Brother Amilio filled the pitchers in your rooms with fresh water this afternoon. If you need anything else, please don't hesitant to ask."

"The youngsters are really excited to see the frescoes in the chapel," Brother Justus said.

"Yes, I have read about the artist, Corregio," Sagan said with enthusiasm.

"Corregio was with us many months painting them. You will see them when we have Compline service before we retire for the night, but they won't be lit very well. You must see them again in the morning when the sun is streaming through the stained glass windows."

The rooms where they were to sleep were identical in appearance. They were small with tiny windows set high in the thick stone walls. The meticulously clean rooms were furnished with a narrow bed covered with a brown wool blanket on mattresses well stuffed with straw. In one corner was a stand with a tin pitcher beside a bowl for washing. A small towel hung over a rod on the side. In another corner was a chamber pot. Theo felt like she was back home.

The next morning Abbott Pietro gave them a tour of the monastery. In a large hall was an extensive library where many scribes were toiling away making copies of various manuscripts.

"I would love to have more time so I could look through your library," Sagan said with longing.

"You are always welcome to come visit us at any time, Signor Sagan." Abbott Pietro patted him on the back with a smile.

The frescoes were indeed breathtaking. "What brightly colored scenes. The people look so real. How did Correggio ever get way up there to paint them? And how does the paint stick to the ceiling?" Theo said in awe.

"First a scaffolding must be built. Then the artist mixes his paint with plaster and applies it wet to the ceiling. It's really interesting to watch. He had to make a choice between tempera, which would have been shiny due to egg yolks being mixed in with the paint and plaster, or fresco, which has no egg yolks but has been proven to be more durable." Abbot Pietro stood in the center of the cathedral and waved his arms above his head as he gave this explanation.

"Why do they build the ceilings so high?" Will said. "It seems like such a waste of space."

I read that they started building cathedral ceilings high in the 1200's to make them full of light, as it was believed that by doing so it would elevate the soul," Sagan said, as he admired the colorful ceiling.

Brother Justus broke into the conversation. "If you want to climb up the steps of Monte Pelligrino before we sail, it is time for you three to get started. I am going to stay here and talk some more with the Abbot until you get back. The ship sails at four this afternoon. Don't be late.

"How do we find the steps that lead up?" Will asked.

"To get to Monte Pelligrino, just turn left when you leave the monastery and follow the street until you see the steps," Abbot Pietro told them.

How far is it, would you say, Pietro?" Brother Justus asked.

"I don't think it is more than twenty minutes away. You can't miss it. You can see Monte Pelligrino from any spot in the city."

When they reached the steps, Theo started up first .

"Race you to the top," she said, as she started up two steps at a time. Will joined in her race and reached the top at the same time that she did. Sagan followed nonchalantly at his own pace.

"I counted eighty steps," Theo said, as she began to spin around with her arms outstretched. "I feel like I'm flying." She started to wobble in dizziness and fell into Will's arms. He held her close for a moment. Theo, seeing the solemn look on his face, was embarrassed.

"Sorry, I guess I got carried away," Theo said as she pushed herself away from him.

When Sagan caught up to them and saw their serious expressions, he asked, "Hey, what's up, you two?"

"I... I just got a little dizzy, and Will was helping me get my balance," Theo said hesitantly.

"Small wonder, as high as we are. Look at this view. It was worth the climb just to see this," Sagan said, as he stood gazing out over the city.

"Brother Justus said not to miss the shrine to Palermo's patron saint, Santa Rosalia. I read that many people who have visited the shrine believe that they have been healed," Theo told Will and Sagan.

They followed the path to the famous shrine and spent a little time looking at the many silver gifts that had been placed at its entrance in thanks to Santa Rosalia. They each said their own silent prayers. Theo was very moved by the solemn experience. They were all quiet as they climbed back down Monte Pelligrino.

The rest of the day was spent visiting the square, the Palatine Chapel, and the catacombs beneath.

When they got to the entrance of the catacombs, there were lanterns with candles to be lit so those entering could see their way. "Do you think we all need a lantern or will one be enough?" Sagan pondered.

"I know I need my own. I don't want to be in the dark for a minute!" Theo said anxiously. She had never been afraid of the dark back home, but after the experience at the market yesterday, she was kind of jumpy. Will looked at her in surprise. He was used to her being fearless. A wave of protectiveness towards her washed over him as he saw this new side of her.

They each lit their own lantern and started down the steep steps. As they descended into the catacombs, the absolute darkness became oppressive. Theo had a moment of fear in the chilly silence followed by a sense of awe and wonder at these complex tunnels. Brother Justus had told them they would see the most astonishing relics of the past with inscriptions, and primitive frescoes. It wasn't long before they found walls decorated with scribbles left by ancient pilgrims. Some were in Latin and some in Greek. They could easily read the simple prayers.

"Peter and Paul remember us. Pray for us," one read. "Help Primus, a sinner, and preserve Vincentius," read another.

Theo found them to be immensely interesting and touching. Some of the inscriptions were misspelled, which seemed to bring them closer to those far off humble Christians who were more accustomed to fetching and carrying than to literary composition.

One inscription particularly caught Sagan's attention. "Here, this is interesting. A person named Eusebius of Antioch, at the age of seventy, bought a burial plot in these catacombs from a friend who was a fosser, you know, a man who actually helped dig the catacombs. It kind of helps you realize these were real people who lived and worked in this place before we were even born."

A shiver ran down Theo's back as she and Will brought their candles closer to see the inscription. She began to think about what it must have felt like to have lived so long ago in a much more terrifying and difficult time. She jumped, startled out of her reverie, when Will started to speak.

"How hard it must have been to dig into the volcanic tufa so accurately, one level on top of the other, all the time being careful to keep the tunnels within the right area of the land above," Will said, thinking of the practical application instead of the romantic one that Theo was dreaming about. She began to walk further into the crypt, her light held high to banish any ghosts that might be lurking in the dark.

"Eeeck!" Theo jumped, startled, as her light shown into one of the hundreds of holes where a decayed skeleton covered in spiderwebs was lying on a rock shelf. Its skull, with the hollow holes where eyes used to be and its bare teeth grinning malevolently, made goosebumps rise on her arms and a chill run down her back. "OK, I'm ready to leave," she said fearfully.

"Don't be a bambino (baby)," Will said. "I want to see how far this tunnel goes."

Theo huddled close to him, clinging to his arm as though he might disappear. As they wandered further into the dark, moldy smelling tunnel, Theo was surprised at the extent of her fear. She had to fight an increasingly overwhelming desire to turn and run out of the catacombs. She began to fidget and look back towards the entrance. She calmed a little when she saw Sagan standing in the dim light of his lantern still reading inscriptions in the other chamber. When Will heard her heavy, terrified breathing, he felt an uncharacteristic tenderness towards her. He turned and put his arm around her waist and hugged her close in reassurance. Theo looked up at him in surprise. He gave her an affectionate smile, as though this were a common occurrence. She couldn't help noticing how firm his muscles were under his shirt. She looked down quickly, not wanting Will to see how flustered she was.

After investigating a couple more chambers, Will took pity on Theo and turned around. "Va bene (okay), let's get you out of here, fraidy cat," he said with a smile.

She was overjoyed to be on her way back into the sunlight. As they reached the stairs, she drew away from his supporting arm. She was surprised at the unexpected chill where his warm arm had been. She realized she had quite liked the feel of his arm around her.

"I don't care what you think, I thought the catacombs were eerie and depressing, and very frightening." she said, to break the uncomfortable silence.

"I noticed. I thought it was great fun seeing all those creepy, dead people," Will laughed. He seemed to be quite pleased with himself.

"What did you think, Sagan?" Will looked back at Sagan as he followed them out of the catacombs.

"I found them very interesting and of great historical value. Some of the relics belonged to famous people from Sicily's past," Saga said thoughtfully. "But I believe we need to hurry back to Brother Justus now. We sail in a couple of hours."

"Yes, I can't wait." Theo began to walk quickly towards St. Mary's. She thought about Will and their experience in the dark. What did it mean?

As they entered the foyer of the monastery, Brother Justus met them. "I'm glad you're back. I forgot to tell you we need to be at the ship an hour early. Gather your things quickly."

They said their goodbyes to Abbot Pietro and promised to come again when they could.